Ex-Everton man Yakubu in Kenya, predicts Nigeria’s fortunes in Russia
Former Nigeria international Yakubu Aiyegbeni admits the West African giants will have to be at their best to stand a chance of making it to knockout stages of the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia.
The 35-year-old made the observation upon arrival in Nairobi on Thursday.
The former Everton forward is in the country as a guest of gaming firm SportPesa at the ongoing SportPesa Super Cup in Nakuru.
“It is not gonna be easy for the Super Eagles. (To stand a chance), the selected players will have to believe in themselves and take their chances, if we can progress from that group then thereafter anything can happen,” said the burly forward, who missed an open goal against South Korea while featuring for his country at the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa.
The Super Eagles are in Group D alongside Argentina, Croatia, and Iceland and will be fighting for one of the two slots available in the round of 16 of the global football showpiece.
The winning team at the SportPesa Super Cup will travel to England to face Everton at Goodison Park next month, and Yakubu says the winning team should expect a ‘fantastic’ atmosphere.
GREAT ATMOSPHERE
“The club is so special. They call it the people’s club in England. It brings everyone together. They (winning team at the SportPesa Super Cup) are gonna love it over there in England, the atmosphere will be great for sure.”
Apart from Everton, Yakubu’s career path has also taken him to Portsmouth, Leicester, Blackburn, Reading and Coventry city in England alongside enjoying stints in Isreal and China.
Meanwhile, Tanzanian champions Simba SC and Kenyan champions Gor Mahia will clash in the final of the SportPesa Super Cup on Sunday for a ticket to Goodison Park next month.
Simba sailed into the final thanks to a 5-4 victory over Kenya’s Kakamega Homeboyz on post-match penalties after the two teams played out a barren stalemate over 90 minutes.
Gor Mahia, on the other hand, sealed their place in the final with a 2-0 win over Tanzania’s Singida United in the second semi final fixture on a soggy Afraha Stadium pitch.
Meddie Kagere struck twice, first with a deft 36th minute header and then with a powerful shot in the 90th minute, for K’Ogalo to see off the hard fighting Singida.